Impact of Cultural Value System on the Personality Development of Ogoni Adolescents

Mary Basil Nwoke

Abstract

Cultural value system is a very important and significant issue in the life of Ogonis in Nigeria. This is because it is the compendium of their entire life. In this study the first of its kind, the process of ethnic identity formation among the Ogoni adolescents is explored. Sixteen participants (8males and 8 females) completed the semi structured interviews and the qualitative data collected was analysed using a grounded theory approach. Based on the findings of this study, a preliminary understanding of the impact of cultural value system on the personality development among the Ogoni adolescents is presented and discussed in detail. The qualitative interviews unveiled the presence of compulsory rite of passage into man/womanhood called ‘koo’ and ‘yaa’ which every Ogoni adolescent boy or girl must partake. Finally through a thematic analysis, cultural values like ‘sira-culture’, ‘masquerade-cult’ and ‘were-beast-affinity’ that impact on the personality of Ogoni adolescents were uncovered.

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